Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark, a karst marvel in Sichuan Province’s Yibin City, is set to captivate billions as one of four sub-venues for China’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala on February 17. Known for its jagged stone forests, labyrinthine caves, and dramatic sinkholes, the geopark will provide a primordial backdrop to the annual celebration, linking live with Beijing’s main stage during the Lunar New Year broadcast.
The selection underscores China’s push to integrate cultural heritage with natural wonders. With underground rivers snaking through 134-square-kilometer terrain, Xingwen’s geological diversity – formed over 490 million years – symbolizes what geologists call "a textbook of carbonate rock evolution."
Local authorities anticipate the exposure will boost sustainable tourism while honoring the region’s ethnic Yi community traditions. As families worldwide tune in on New Year’s Eve, the geopark’s collaboration with state broadcaster CCTV aims to showcase ecological preservation efforts aligned with China’s green development goals.
